The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-09

The Ives pool bill, important to the
thoroughbred horse interests of the
whole country, was passed by the New
York Legislature April 9th. The
measure is protective to this extent,
that had 1t not passed it is more than
likely I'll at thoroughbred colts in Ten
nessee would have gone begging at the
rate of $50 apiece. All we'll posted
turfmen are acquainted with the des-
perate move that was made in the
New York Legislature to prohibit
pool selling on races, and it v az only
by the attachment OF an amendment
"For the benefit of agricultural fair
associations" that Mr.. Ives was en-
abled to get his bill passed. The fol-
lowing Albany dispatch, dated April
9th, to the New York Herald will ex-
plain the hot fight that was made over
the measuYe:' -.a.5u.
"We are going under the wire a
neck ahead" exclaimed Mr.. Ives this
evening after hot race with the pool
bill around the Assembly track. The
bill was the pending QUESTION in the
Committee of the Whole when the
House met. After few false starts
caused by the non-presence of a quo
rum and obstacles put in his way by
Mr.. Kguse and Others, Mr.. Ives gOs
away ia this style: 81 do not proposs
to discuss gambling like a preacher,
but to consider and explsin a measure
for the bent fit Of the State. There are
more tracks now than there were ten
years ago, and betting goes on Just the
same as it did before the selling Of
pools was prohibited by law. 1t is
thus very plain ttaf the law as it
stands is foolish and cannot be en-
forced. Anthony ComstoCk has in
stanCed lots OF cares of fsmiiy ruin
which he attributes entirely to the
race tack. He has admitted that all
these cases occurred under the sec
tons of the penal code which this bill
seeks to suspend.
"One experiment-that of trying to
stop pool selling-hss been tried it is
time TO try snother-that which this
bill proposes"
"Do you mean to say" asked Mr..
Kruse, "thst this bill will make less
gamblinR?"
"Most emphstic1lly, yes, responded
Mr.. Ives. at will restrain it. Every
effort you make to stop it will be I'M
avsiling, as the ten years Of gambling
has proved. That is just my argu-
ment."
You cannot prevent Americans
from betting on horse race. Just as
long as you keep such laws On the
statute books, Just 80 long will you
have all the evils you complain OF.
The Anglo Saxon race are thorough
horsemen; they will bet, aud it would
be wise for the Legis AZURE 10 pass
wise laws on the subject like this
one, and repeal the foolish and in
operative ones.
Mr. Ives's speech evidently.made a
good impression on the House.
He at once moved to have the bill
progressed, but Mr.. Cable Road Con-
over, in the chair, ruled against him,
and gave the h1or to Mr.. Kruse on the
absurd ground that K,use: had thu
floor before Mr., Ives motion was put.
Mr.. Kruse rehsshed his argument
of the previous debate, and Mr.. Aims
worth followed in like strain.
Col. Brooklyn Bacon wanted to kill
the bill on the spot.
When he pronounced gambling a
crime there were shouts OF "0hl 0nW
and, turning TO Mr.. Ives, he asked:
"Mr. Ives, is gambling not a crime 2"
"No," replied the young champion
of the bill, "only the recording Of a bet
is a crime"
Mr.. Bacon puts his question to the
House, and the House thundered mo"
10 reply.
"Tne only thing that stands in the
way OF stopping gambling in Kings
county," continued the excited
Colonel, "is James W. Ridgway."
Up jumped Mr.. Hsg SeIty, who de-
handed that the Colonel lay his proof
before the House.
at Will come in time," replied Mr.
Bacon, only to be interrupted by Mr..
McAdem, who asked If be was in favor
Of licensing saloons. "0n principle,
no; on policy, yes, because we have
to-" was thu answer. st which there
was a laugo, ior that was Mr.. IYes's
p tint exactly.
Mr.. Ives sarcastieslly congratulated
the Colonel on the exhibition he had
made, and again moved to order the
bill 10 a third reading. There was
much confusion for while.
Mr.. MISE, Of Duchess, when at
tempts we're made to prevent him from
voting on the bill, shouted out: 81
knox wa. I'm about. There isn't a